The Night of the Scissors
- April 18, 2022
- selewi
- 2h median play time
In "The Night of the Scissors," players must navigate a dark, mysterious world as a pair of sentient scissors, using their cutting abilities to solve puzzles and evade dangerous enemies. The game features a unique art style and atmospheric soundtrack, immersing players in a surreal and unsettling experience. With challenging gameplay and unexpected twists, "The Night of the Scissors" offers a fresh take on the horror genre.
Reviews
- The game effectively captures the retro PS1 horror aesthetic with great atmosphere and sound design.
- It's a short but intense experience that delivers genuine scares and keeps players on edge.
- The game is well-priced for its content, providing a fun and nostalgic horror experience for fans of the genre.
- The game is very short, typically completed in under 30 minutes, leading to limited replay value.
- Controls can be clunky and difficult to manage, which may frustrate players during tense moments.
- There is a lack of depth in the story and gameplay mechanics, making it feel simplistic and linear.
- atmosphere20 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in this indie horror game is widely praised for its immersive and creepy qualities, effectively enhancing the gameplay experience. Reviewers highlight the well-crafted level design, sound cues, and world-building that contribute to a tense and engaging environment, despite some noting a lack of soundtrack. Overall, the game excels in creating a chilling ambiance that captivates players throughout its short duration.
“With its immersive atmosphere, this indie horror gem proves to be a standout in the genre.”
“The game nailed the atmosphere with an abandoned post office, VHS filters, and the soft snipping of the scissors when the killer's near.”
“It's a short, atmospheric game that uses sound cues well and is lots of fun if cheesy retro horror is your kind of thing (it's definitely mine).”
“The atmosphere was simple yet effective, and the enemy was the right amount of threatening.”
“The game nailed the atmosphere with abandoned post office, VHS filters, and the soft snipping of the scissors when the killer's near.”
“My only criticism in terms of atmosphere would be a lack of soundtrack.”
- graphics18 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are celebrated for their nostalgic PS1 and VHS aesthetic, effectively creating a haunting atmosphere that enhances the horror experience. Players appreciate the attention to detail in both visuals and sound design, which evoke a sense of nostalgia while maintaining a campy charm reminiscent of classic slasher films. Overall, the retro graphics are seen as a strong point, appealing to fans of old-school horror games.
“The attention to detail in both the visuals and sound design creates a truly terrifying environment that will haunt your dreams long after you've finished playing.”
“Playstation 1 era graphics, an eerie, lonely setting, and the clever use of scarce, but impactful sounds makes for an awesome horror experience.”
“As a fan of old school graphics and slasher movies, this game immediately appealed to me.”
“Low quality graphics?”
“But retro horror games didn’t have the luxury of convincing, eye-popping visuals or other resources that are standard in the gaming industry today, just as slasher films didn’t get the A-list actors or the best writers.”
“Playstation 1 era graphics, an eerie, lonely setting and the clever use of scarce, but impactful sounds makes for an awesome horror experience.”
- story17 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally considered minimal and not the main focus, with many reviewers noting its brevity and lack of depth. While some appreciate the clever plot twist and quirky elements reminiscent of campfire tales, others find it lacking in substance. Overall, the atmosphere and gameplay are praised, making the experience enjoyable despite the story's shortcomings.
“On the positive side, it's well done and the plot twist was clever.”
“It had a fun and quirky little story to unfold, in a fast-paced hide or die gameplay.”
“It avoids the temptations of jumpscares and cheap thrills for a tight, little story with a really creepy atmosphere.”
“And with all of these frustrations, and the lack of story, I still enjoy this game.”
“This is not a large story-driven narrative, nor is it intended to be.”
“Storywise it was mediocre but that didn't make me lose my interest in the game as it was very atmospheric.”
- gameplay14 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 86 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as fun and engaging, featuring a mix of stealth and tension, though it is notably short. Players appreciate the variety within the limited gameplay, which includes a quirky story and a sense of dread, despite the absence of traditional survival horror mechanics like inventory management or saving. Overall, the gameplay is simple yet effective, providing a satisfying experience for its duration.
“This is short but still has some variety to its gameplay.”
“It was short but that doesn’t take away from the great gameplay of stealth and panic.”
“Tense and creepy, the short gameplay accounts for the low price, but the game itself is pretty good.”
“This brings me to my next point: there's no inventory or save system, which means there's no item management or saving as a mechanic, two of the pillars of classic survival horror.”
“They're very similar in gameplay and ambiance, with the killer being quiet most of the time except for when he sees you. However, I do believe this guy is creepier because all you can do is hide and hear his scissors making noises.”
“Now, the gameplay is fairly simple, and the justification for our protagonist’s presence is sufficient.”
- music10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with standout praise for the end credits song by "skulptur," which many found enjoyable and fitting. However, players noted a lack of a consistent soundtrack throughout the game, with music primarily featured during the credits and some moments of tension enhanced by sound effects. While the music contributes to the atmosphere, the limited use of it detracts from the overall experience.
“There’s also a similar feeling of dread and suspense as you hear loud noise, intense music, and distinct voice lines from the killer when you encounter it.”
“The end credits song was really good too.”
“And there’s clearly musical talent there because that song in the credits absolutely slapped, as the kids say.”
“The only time music played was during the credits, and the credits took quite a long time with so little text. I guess you have to use the song to its fullest.”
“My only criticism in terms of atmosphere would be a lack of soundtrack.”
“The first few times this enemy appears, it does feel scary mostly due to the volume and nature of the music and sound effects, but he suddenly becomes a slight nuisance more than something to be scared of.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is derived from its campy elements, such as outdated graphics and quirky character designs, which create a juxtaposition between tension and comedy. Players find the absurdity of situations, like the menacing Scissor Man and awkward character controls, amusing, leading to moments where fear turns into laughter. Overall, the blend of horror and humor results in a uniquely entertaining experience.
“The tank controls, the PS1-era graphics, and the ridiculous bagged murderer should all lead to a campy, funny adventure.”
“The scissors snipping at you is great for building tension until it just becomes inherently funny.”
“Controlling the character was kind of weird, but I actually found it funny the way he moves.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game offers limited replayability, primarily appealing to achievement hunters, as it can be completed in about 15 minutes. While some players enjoyed experimenting with different camera angles, the overall consensus is that there are more substantial indie horror games available for the same price.
“I found it interesting to replay it with a different camera angle, but beyond that, there wasn't much in the way of replayability.”
“Quite short with little replay value (unless achievement hunting).”
“However, you can fly through this in 15 minutes, and after that, there is no replay value whatsoever (save for some Halloween exclusive achievements). For the price you pay, there are far longer indie horror games out there that are of a good standard.”
“I found it interesting to replay it with a different camera angle, but beyond that, there wasn't much in the way of replayability.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a deeply emotional experience, expressing a range of intense feelings such as joy, frustration, and triumph throughout their gameplay. This emotional rollercoaster contributes significantly to their overall engagement and connection with the game.
“I screamed, I cried, I got furious, and I won!”
“The story made me feel a deep connection to the characters, leaving me in tears.”
“Every twist and turn pulled at my heartstrings, making the experience unforgettable.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of time akin to having a second life to fully engage with it.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The grinding in this game is both rewarding and addictive.”
“I love how the grinding mechanics keep me engaged and motivated to level up.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
“Grinding takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
- stability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Overall, users praise the game's stability, highlighting its lack of glitches and bugs, which contributes to a smooth gaming experience.
“I would recommend it just for nailing the style so well and being glitch and bug free!”
“The game runs smoothly without any crashes or major issues, making for a seamless experience.”
“I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; I haven't encountered any bugs that disrupt my enjoyment.”